Distinguished Alumnus Returns HomeOctober 19, 2016

Eng Phys alumnus, Robert Walker returned to his old stomping grounds to give students, staff, and faculty members a lecture at Cafe X

Walker’s lecture, “Thoughts on the Science-Policy Interface in a Complex World” considered how science must adapt to an increasingly globalized world that is infinitely connected by social media in order to continue its role in providing fact-based evidence to policy makers.

Dr. Walker’s lecture was as dynamic as his set of educational, career, and life experiences: following his M.Eng in Engineering Physics and PhD in Electrical Engineering, Robert was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from McMaster University in 2013 and honorary Doctorate of Engineering degree from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2015.

Apart from his educational background, he has served as the Chairman of the NATO Research and Technology Board, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Science and Technology at the Department of National Defence, and the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Research and Development Canada. In addition to these roles, he also coordinated public safety science and technology activities on behalf of the federal government. Finally, concurrent to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Limited (2014-2015), Robert also served as Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) President and Chief Executive Officer from 2011-2015.

The Eng Phys department could not be more proud to call Bob one of our own!